You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to uncover clues that our country is going through difficult times. Most recently, the unfolding drama on Wall Street looks like a scene from “Extreme Makeover” and does little to instill public, let alone investor, confidence in our financial and regulatory institutions. Fuel prices, which skyrocketed over the summer, continue to create both pain and panic at the pump. The cost of groceries is also rising at an alarming rate, making it more difficult than ever for families to put food on the table. We’re now all too familiar with the mortgage meltdown, with the housing and credit crises, with bank closings, as well as with the steady loss of jobs, including the all-too-frequent draconian job cuts, in corporate America. The U.S. economy, according to many observers, is derailing and on the brink of a recession. And to complicate matters further, the political landscape, domestically and internationally, and the global economy are uncertain and volatile. To say the least, we are living in a highly stressful environment. And within this environment, more and more people are facing formidable challenges in their personal and work lives as they struggle to make ends meet.

It is probably fair to say that most children in America today have never witnessed such hard times, let alone have had to experience this kind of situation before. And although we may hate to admit it, our children (o.k., many parents too!) have become spoiled, for lack of a better term, by what they now “expect” from life in the contemporary era. Increasing societal affluence has brought with it more choices, especially in the material realm (for example, think about the constantly-changing trends in fashion and the continuous barrage of technological “gadgets” that apparently one cannot live without these days!), most of which carry a high price tag not only in financial but also in emotional terms for American parents and their families. Indeed, the disturbing implications of both the “paradox of choice” and what is now being called “affluenza,” a new disease-like phenomenon of epidemic proportions, have become so ubiquitous in society today that you can even find books with titles bearing these exact words in your local bookstore and library!

It is against--and in response to--this increasingly complex backdrop, with its pervasive symptoms, that Americans, both individually and collectively, now find themselves looking for answers.

Many of you may remember the words uttered not too long ago by former U.S. Senator and economist, Phil Gramm, who downplayed the idea that the nation was in a financial recession; instead, he “diagnosed” the situation as a “mental recession,” likening the country’s (and its citizen’s) ills to what we all know as mental depression. In this regard, Gramm provocatively said that “We have sort of become a nation of whiners,…complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline.” Although I don’t happen to agree with Senator Gramm’s diagnosis, I do believe that Americans, like all people, must consciously and deliberately resist the human tendency to become “prisoners of their thoughts.” Only in this way may we increase our capacity to cope effectively and creatively with whatever comes our way in life--from the smallest disappointments to the most formidable of life’s challenges. And this includes our capacity, as individuals and as a nation, to deal with the current financial crisis.

In this regard, I learned not many years ago from Thomas Moore, psychotherapist and author of the bestselling book, Care of Our Soul, that our most soulful times are when we are “out of balance,” not when we are in balance! In other words, it is when we are facing formidable challenges and when we are dealing with crises, that we are most likely to do some really deep “soul-searching.” And it is during these especially difficult times when our will to meaning, that is, our authentic commitment to meaningful values and goals, comes into sharp focus and we are prompted to make key choices about what really matters to us and in our lives.

Even our choice of attitude, I should add, is put to the test! We must remember that, although we may not be totally free from the various conditions or situations that confront us, we always can choose how we respond to them, at the very least through our choice of attitude. This means (no pun intended) more than having the “audacity of hope”--for hope, by itself, is not a strategy. Importantly, it requires that we assume personal (and collective) responsibility for exercising this ultimate freedom by taking action, albeit through a positive mindset focused on the power of intention, rather than resorting to a “poor me” attitude and a “victim” mentality. Perhaps this is what Phil Gramm really meant, to afford him the benefit of the doubt, by his insensitive-sounding diagnosis!

I also want to underscore that one of the real powers of positive thinking and what the world-renown psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl, referred to as “true optimism,” is that it is good for your physical, mental, and spiritual health! As I describe in my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, this intrinsic “power” (a true form of “empowerment”) not only helped Dr. Frankl survive the horrors of the Nazi death camps but also provided a meaningful platform for creative expression and action that he used throughout his life. By “releasing” himself from a self-imposed thought prison, Frankl was able to open up possibilities for creative action while maintaining a positive vision of the future. This, in no way, is intended to marginalize or minimize his concentration camp ordeal.

“Each of us has his own inner concentration camp…we must deal with, with forgiveness and patience¾as full human beings, as we are and what we will become.”¾Viktor Frankl, M.D., Ph.D.

On the contrary, among the many lessons to be learned from Viktor Frankl’s life and legacy is one of hope and possibility. Dr. Frankl saw the human condition at its worst, and human beings behaving in ways intolerable to the imagination. He also saw human beings rising to heights of compassion and caring in ways that can only be described as miraculous acts of unselfishness and transcendence. Indeed, there is something in us that can rise above and beyond everything that we think possible. Our instinct for meaning, in our personal lives and in our work, is ours right now, at this very moment. As long as we are not prisoners of our thoughts.

Sometimes it is only when we enter a state of “creative destruction” that the keys to our liberation from our inner concentration camp become visible to us. Just like we can only recognize “light” by knowing “darkness,” we can only move ourselves (and help others to do the same) towards the light by moving away from darkness. By the same token, acknowledging the existence of despair is the first step towards meaning and “enlightenment.” Again, without sounding like I’m trying to marginalize or minimize the significance of the current financial crisis, including the human suffering that it leaves in its wake, the inherent darkness that it brings also provides a platform for taking creative action towards the light of opportunity.

People’s lives will undoubtedly change and be changed. The existential question, however, remains: is it change that you (and we) can believe in? Coping with, surviving, and thriving through such times are not only about finances per se. We also need to remain cognizant of the emotional, and, yes, spiritual, sides of the equation. As odd as it may sound, there is always something positive that may result from, or at least be associated with, something negative. Think about it. As one door closes, another one opens (If, of course, we are “open” to such possibilities and are willing to take responsibility for walking through the door.). As one door closes, we are given an opportunity to learn even more about ourselves, including our true, core values, than we might have thought was possible (If, of course, we really want to learn and grow from our life experiences.). As one door closes, we are also challenged to find creative solutions to our plight in ways that may even surprise us (If, of course, we choose not be become or remain a victim of our circumstances.)!

Finding “meaning” in the financial crisis, to be sure, is much easier said than done. Let’s face it, it’s hard work! And it often requires making sacrifices; sacrifices that we don’t really want to make. Who really wants to take a family “staycation,” that is, a vacation spent at home, rather than going away to some exciting vacation spot? At first blush, it doesn’t sound very appealing, does it? However, besides creating an opportunity to save money and thereby place less strain on the family’s budget, what else does this creative idea promise? Well, families who have chosen the staycation route have made a commitment, conscious or not, to spread the “sacrifice” by holding all family members, parents and children alike, responsible for making it happen, as well as for making it happen for the benefit of everyone. It’s no longer just the parents who must sacrifice something for the sake of living in a postmodern world where the “paradox of choice” and “affluenza” run rampant. Moreover, going on staycation has actually brought family members together in authentic and meaningful ways. And I suspect that when the family eventually does plan for a getaway “vacation,” it will be valued more highly and result in an even more memorable and, again, meaningful, experience! Now start your creative engines and explore other ways in which you can find meaning in the financial crisis, regardless of your personal circumstances! And how can this new-found meaning guide you in a positive way through the abyss?

On a more macro level, of course, the possibilities for finding “meaning” in the financial crisis are also unlimited. In this connection, think about how various societal ills, at all levels, may actually benefit from the forces of “creative destruction” that we are witnessing in today’s world. I know that it sounds a bit far-fetched and perhaps insensitive, but stay with me for a moment. Have you ever known somebody who appeared to live her or his life on “cruise control” or “auto-pilot?” You know, unaware of what really mattered? What was really important to them and to those around them? And then they faced a major, maybe even life-threatening, crisis--effectively, a life “wake-up call?” More often than not, these people would describe such an experience as transformative for them. On both personal and collective levels, the “meaning” of the financial crisis also holds the promise of being a transformative experience. But it can only be so if, and this is a BIG if, we do not allow ourselves to become “prisoners of our thoughts!” Like Viktor Frankl, I sincerely believe in the power and resiliency of human beings and the human spirit. Yes, my dear Watson, there is a financial crisis but you will get through it!

With meaning,Dr. Alex Pattakosauthor, Prisoners of Our ThoughtsLearn more

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I received a lot of inquiries over the last week from people who described some kind of existential angst or sincere concern about "midlife." What, we may ask, is "midlife" and why should we even be concerned about it? If I ask you to tell me the first word that comes to mind when I say "midlife," what would you say? More often than not, the word "crisis" would pop up as being most closely associated with the word "midlife." And when we describe people who appear to be experiencing a "midlife crisis," we usually don't describe them as being very "healthy," nor do we tend to describe them in glowing or positive terms. In some way, they seem to be lost, their lives appear to be devoid of authentic meaning, and they may look--and even behave--like they are "regressing" in order to capture time gone by. Let's face it, people with these characteristics are not a very pretty sight! And, regrettably, they often become a burden on those around them.

So, again, what do we mean by "midlife" and how is it truly related to a life "crisis?" From what I can discern, midlife transition is a natural stage that happens to many of us at some point in our lives. Exactly when this point occurs, to muddy the waters further, is open to debate, although there appears to be agreement that it occurs usually at about age 40 years, give or take 20 years (how's that for precision)!

SYMPTOMS of MIDLIFEDefining midlife, better known as midlife transition, is easier to do by describing the symptoms or behavioral manifestations that have been found to be associated with it. These symptoms may and can include the following:

Discontentment or boredom with life or with one's lifestyle (including people and things) that, more than likely, have provided fulfillment for a long time.

Feeling restless and wanting to do something completely different.

Questioning decisions made years earlier.

Questioning the meaning of life, including "is that all there is"?

Confusion about who you are, i.e., self-doubt, and/or where your life is going (For example, "Am I a failure?")

Yearning for an earlier time in one's life and/or a desire to return to/take back one's youth and the things that it represents in mind, body, and spirit

Sadness, depression, irritability, unexpected anger, aggression

MIDLIFE A TIME FOR REASSESSINGMidlife is also a time when many adults take on new job responsibilities and, therefore, often feel a need to reassess where they are and make changes while they feel they still have time. In this regard, it was a psychologist, Elliot Jaques, who coined the term "midlife crisis" in a 1965 article in which he referred to a time when adults begin to realize their own mortality and reflect upon how much time they may have left in their lives.

The range of what we see and doIs limited by what we fail to notice.And because we fail to noticeThat we fail to notice,There is little we can doTo changeUntil we noticeHow failing to noticeShapes our thoughts and deeds.

--R.D. Laing

But midlife is not only a time for reassessing our lives in the face of our own mortality. This transitional stage is also a time when our bodies undergo physical and hormonal changes. Coupled with the emotional changes (refer to the list above) that occur during this "transition," life at midlife can be quite challenging even if it does not reach the level of "crisis" per se. Likewise, even though these symptoms at midlife can occur naturally, they also could result from some significant loss or change--such as divorce, loss of a job, the death of a parent, having to care for aging parents, or children leaving the "nest." Coming to terms with such loss or change, which often comprises a real "crisis" of its own, can be difficult enough, but when it is complicated by midlife transition, the process can feel bewildering and overwhelming.

It is especially at midlife when we encounter a critical crossroads on the path to meaning. Rather than having a so-called "midlife crisis," writes Mark Gerzon in his book, Coming Into Our Own: Understanding the Adult Metamorphosis, we can, during this period, begin a search for deeper love, purpose, and meaning that becomes possible in life's "second" half. In other words, envisioning life as a quest, not a crisis, during and after midlife is an opportunity that holds great potency for all. Indeed, with increases in life expectancy, which is influencing how we define "midlife," more people of all ages are beginning to view life's second half as a meaningful pathway to unlimited possibilities. Whether or not you believe that the Chinese word, weiji ( translated as "crisis") is composed of the characters for "danger" and "opportunity," the fact remains that, in the final analysis, opportunity always awaits those who are experiencing "midlife," no matter what their chronological age or personal circumstances.

Retirement at later stages of life demands attention to questions of meaning. Why is it, for instance, that some people seem to "retire" from life while others simply transform or redesign themselves for new and meaningful challenges in living and work? The life and legacy of Viktor Frankl have taught us, in no uncertain terms, to approach the aging process from a position of personal strength and in a way that respects the dignity of the human spirit. The post-midlife years of Dr. Frankl, who had not retired at over 90 years of age, provides a window for us to see how important the search for meaning can actually be throughout our lifetime.

Not too long ago I came across a gentleman by the name of R. Waldo McBurney, who had been recognized as "America's Oldest Worker" in 2006. At the time, Mr. McBurney was only 104 years young! Among his many accomplishments since passing through "midlife," Waldo also became a published author (at the age of 102 years, I should add!). But what is truly remarkable about his work is his attitude and perspective towards life itself. Waldo's view of life is reflected in the title of his book, which I proudly display in my library: My First 100 Years! Now how is that for exercising the freedom to choose your attitude and viewing life as an opportunity? Moreover, when you read about Waldo's life, you learn right away that his is a life with meaning.

It's time to go inward, take a look at myself.Time to make the most of the time that I've got left.Prison bars imagined are no less solid steel.--Rodney Crowell (Track #4 from the album, Fate's Right Hand)

So, what about your life? And for those of you who are worried, concerned, or struggling with midlife (and beyond), please keep Waldo McBurney in mind. And be willing to explore and accept your feelings, while not becoming a "prisoner" of your own thoughts. Allow yourself time to reflect upon your life regularly, not only when you are forced to confront life's formidable challenges or "crises." At worst, try to view your glass of life as being half-full, rather than half-empty (I recall a former client describing his glass as being not only half-empty but leaking too!). To be sure, there are many, many things that you may do--physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually--to live with meaning at all stages of life, including midlife. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to go find "Waldo," in you!

With meaning,Dr. Alex Pattakosauthor, Prisoners of Our ThoughtsLearn more

NEW EDITIONS: Prisoners of Our ThoughtsNew edition of Prisoners of Our Thoughts in paperback, Audiobook CD, and digital download formats! Learn more